The Starlight Baron Family.
A prestigious sword family that has served the empire for centuries, having been granted their title two hundred years ago due to their ancestors’ outstanding military achievements.
Their skill is such that every family head, including the current head, Richard Starlight, has reached the pinnacle of swordsmanship, mastering the art of the sword to perfection.
Despite their lack of ambition for power, they have remained at the rank of baron, though they have accumulated countless brilliant achievements.
In the original story, they maintained neutrality for a long time before eventually siding with the forces of Justia midway through the story.
But now, they’ve aligned themselves with the first prince, Maximilian.
What on earth are they thinking, joining forces with a main antagonist like him?
‘Ugh, this is really frustrating.’
Could it be that the existence of Eileen, who wasn’t in the original novel, has created this variable?
In my panic, I leaned closer to her.
“Explain in more detail. Does this mean that by seeking help from the first prince’s faction, they’ve also learned about Luke’s illness?”
“Uh, you’re a bit too close—”
“And the first prince is supposed to be on the eastern front. How did he manage to pull your family into his camp? Ah, I see. It must be Chancellor Marcus’s doing, right?”
“Um… well…”
Eileen’s eyes darted around nervously.
Her sweet, feminine scent was now so close it was almost overwhelming.
Oops, I got too carried away.
I sat back down and ran a hand through my hair.
“I asked too many questions at once. I was just caught off guard, so please understand.”
“It’s okay… but honestly, I haven’t been staying with the family much, so I don’t know all the details.”
“That’s fine. Just tell me what you know.”
“Alright.”
Eileen nodded.
She then began to explain the situation earnestly, and after summarizing her words, this is what I gathered:
The Starlight family, known for their martial prowess and unwavering loyalty to the empire, has become an attractive prospect for the princes competing for the throne.
As a result, both princes have been making various offers to recruit them.
The first prince, in particular, has been especially persistent in his courtship, but Richard, the family head and Eileen’s father, had maintained neutrality until now.
However.
As Luke’s condition worsened day by day, Richard began to consider seeking help from the first prince, who has deep ties with the Palais Church.
According to a letter received yesterday, they finally accepted the prince’s help, and Luke has since awakened.
“If that was the case, why didn’t you ask me for help? I could have solved it for you.”
“Well… it wasn’t easy for me to reveal such secrets. And I think my father wanted me to focus on the Demon Sword Tournament, so he made the decision quietly.”
Eileen bowed her head as she spoke.
This is just ridiculous.
Not only was the protagonist of the original story a woman, but the protagonist’s family has now joined forces with the first prince without my knowledge.
For a moment, I was so angry I wanted to lash out, but instead, I just sighed deeply and leaned back against the carriage seat.
“I’m sorry. It’s my fault for not discussing it with you earlier…”
“It’s fine. It’s not your fault.”
“But I heard that you’ve allied yourself with Her Highness the Princess. Now that my family has sided with the opposing faction, I don’t know what to do…”
Eileen glanced at me nervously, biting her lip.
She seemed to understand that the situation was serious.
Yes, if the Starlight family has truly joined Maximilian’s side, it will be difficult for us to continue sparring or having casual conversations as we did before.
And in the worst-case scenario, we might even end up as enemies.
Eventually, both Eileen and I found it hard to speak, and we sat in silence for a long time.
“…”
The carriage was quiet, filled only with the sound of hooves and the creaking of wheels.
What is Eileen thinking right now?
Her eyes, which once reflected a clear night sky, now seemed clouded, and her hair, which had grown slightly since we first met in the forest, lay calmly against her shoulders.
I propped my chin on my hand and gazed out the window, then simply crossed my arms and closed my eyes.
“Your Excellency…?”
Eileen called out, but I kept my eyes closed and didn’t respond.
The situation was clearly not good, but upon further reflection, I realized I wasn’t too worried.
Because Eileen was here with me.
The Starlight family?
Not important.
But I already have a massive force on my side.
The first prince, Maximilian, may have legitimacy and exceptional martial prowess, along with powerful allies like the chancellor and the border lords, but…
I still felt that I held a slight advantage.
Moreover, the bond between Eileen and me had grown strong enough to share secrets.
Was there really anything to worry about?
Still, there was one thing I needed to address, so I spoke without opening my eyes.
“Eileen.”
“Yes?”
“If your family officially joins the first prince’s faction, what will you do?”
“…”
Eileen fell silent.
She didn’t even fidget, lost in deep thought.
Even without looking, I could imagine the serious expression on her face.
I didn’t open my eyes or press her further.
I didn’t want to pressure her; I just wanted to hear her honest feelings.
If she chose to stay with me, that would be ideal.
If she felt compelled to follow her family, I was prepared to march into the Starlight barony and negotiate.
But after a moment of silence.
In the darkness behind my closed eyes, Eileen’s voice filled my senses.
“I will follow you, Your Excellency.”
“Hmm.”
I opened my eyes upon hearing her answer.
No, to be precise, my eyes opened on their own.
At a distance where I could reach out and touch her.
Eileen’s eyes, now clear of the earlier cloudiness, gazed at me with a bright light.
Her willingness to follow me.
I didn’t ask for reasons; I simply savored the joy that filled my chest.
‘I’ve done well so far.’
It had been over three months since I transmigrated into this world.
I could confidently say that I had worked hard and lived diligently.
Throughout that time, I had never betrayed my principles and had acted according to my own standards.
But if I had lived recklessly, corrupting any woman I pleased and indulging in the power of an absolute monarch, would Eileen still have chosen to follow me?
‘Not a chance.’
In the end, it was the mindset I had maintained that preserved my relationship with Eileen.
And that mindset would create an insurmountable gap between Maximilian and me.
I didn’t bother to thank her; I simply took Eileen’s hand.
Since she had chosen to follow me, it was only right for me to take her hand in return.
“Ah…”
A small tremor passed through her hand as mine touched it.
But soon, Eileen gripped my hand firmly in response.
I felt a surge of joy at her reciprocation.
‘Well then, shall we head to the Starlight family now?’
Since Eileen had chosen to follow me, the most important issue was resolved, but I couldn’t just leave her family as they were.
After all, there were matters to settle if she was to reclaim her life as a woman.
What should I say when I meet Eileen’s father?
I thought about asking Cheonryeo for advice, but I quickly dismissed the idea.
Because.
[The mood’s nice. Are we going to her family now? Are you going to say, “Please allow me to impregnate your daughter”?]
That’s the kind of guy he is.
‘Impregnate, huh…’
Absurdly, that word reminded me of other women.
By now, Liliana and Justia must be worried, having noticed my absence.
I thought I should send them a letter as soon as we stopped at the next village.
With that in mind, we rode the carriage toward the Starlight family.
***
A few days later.
The Starlight Barony.
“Huff—!”
Swish—
Under the early morning sun.
A young man was diligently swinging his sword.
The longsword cut through the air, creating sharp, cracking sounds.
His fluid movements showcased his exceptional skill, though his face still bore traces of youth.
‘Lady Eileen will be returning soon…!’
The thought of the woman he admired filled the young man’s face with joy.
How long had he been waiting for this day?
After young master Luke fell seriously ill and had been bedridden for so long…
Lady Eileen, whom he had admired since childhood, had disguised herself as a man and entered the academy for the sake of the family.
But now, with the family head having allied with the first prince, Luke had awakened thanks to the concentrated treatment of several high-ranking priests.
Now, Lady Eileen could finally return to her life as a woman.
And he would confess his feelings to her and seek the family head’s approval.
With that thought, the young man’s grip on his sword tightened.
He thrust the longsword into the air with unwavering determination.
Swoosh—!
“Lian!”
“Senior Calen?”
At that moment, a long-haired man rushed into the training grounds, calling out to him.
Calen, a fellow knight of the Starlight barony.
Though usually playful, he rarely showed signs of panic.
What’s going on?
As Lian looked at him in confusion, Calen caught his breath and spoke.
“Phew. So you’re here. Haven’t you heard the news?”
“News?”
“Lady Eileen has returned. She’s at the entrance of the estate—”
“Thank you, Senior!”
“Hey, wait! Let me finish—”
At the mention of Lady Eileen, Lian immediately dashed off, and Calen’s voice grew distant.
He shouted something, but Lian couldn’t hear it.
He had been waiting for this moment for so long.
‘My lady… I’ve become stronger for you!’
Lian tightened his grip on the longsword.
He ran as fast as he could, his legs moving tirelessly.
Lady Eileen, with her dazzling talent.
The days he had spent training to stand by her side and earn the family head’s recognition were finally about to pay off.
With that thought, he ran, and soon he spotted Eileen standing at the entrance of the estate.
Overjoyed, Lian called out to her.
“My lady! You’ve finally returned…?”
But.
His excited voice trailed off.
Lian came to an abrupt halt.
Because he had seen it.
The man standing next to Lady Eileen.
And the expression on her face as she looked at him.
‘My… lady…?’
He tried to speak, but no words came out.
His eyes widened in disbelief.
What had happened in the meantime?
As his heart pounded as if it might burst, Lian’s hand trembled slightly.
The man had jet-black hair and crimson eyes.
A tall, handsome man with a decadent gaze.
Lady Eileen, looking at this extraordinary man, wore the expression of a woman in love.
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